Pollensa tips welcome

Taken plunge and collecting 2002 Ford Autosleeper Pollensa on Saturday and although I know it's quite elderly, but everyone has to start somewhere!!  We (daughter & I) are taking grandchildren down to the new forest next week, on a test run, and any  useful tips or warnings would be gratefully received. Apparently, we will have a two hour handover when we collect it.
Thanks.
Lisa

Cant give you any tips as we are just starting, but new forest is a lovely place hope you have a good time.

Thanks, frazzle. We love it down there, as do the dogs (!), but usually stay on a static site. Good luck to you too.

Always best to go to a proper site to start (not wild camping) in case of any problems. There you can always find someone to help you. You won't know of any problems until you've gone out a few times. Make sure you have enough gas and water on board. Just enjoy yourselves!

Lisa if you have a mobile phone with camera/ video take plenty of pictures or video during handover especially with settings etc. It is easy to get carried away in the moment and forget that Important switch that needs operating on arrival at site etc
   A few pictures or video allows you to refer and check you are doing things correctly. Did this a few years ago when buying a sailing dinghy and proved invaluable when rigging first time out on our own and you are looking at heaps of rope wondering how it goes round pulleys etc!
     Good luck and enjoy your van!

My tip would be to make notes about how each piece of equipment works and when it can be used.

The fridge for example - only works on 12V when the engine is running, to keep it cold on the road. It uses either 230V from an external hook up or gas when on a pitch.

The heating when on site is either 230V or gas, only the fan works from the 12V.

Remember to turn on the gas bottle and gas taps for the piece of equipment that you want to use.

Fill the water tank and run the water pump through the taps to bleed out the air and make sure that the hot tank is full of water the same way, by turning on the hot tap(s).

The water heater also works on either (or both) 230V and gas.

Make sure that the waste water tank is empty before you set off, and keep checking it as you use water through the sinks/shower etc.

Make sure that you're shown how to switch the 12V supply on and off, and how to use the habitation lights etc when it's on.

None of it is rocket science, but it can be a bit confusing at first, until you get the hang of what does what and when.

Enjoy.

PS. Remember not to drive off with the electric hook up lead (EHU) still plugged in to the site supply, and remember to retract the step outside the habitation door too.

I actually started the engine on our first van with the awning out one day, and was preparing to drive off until I noticed some nearby campers with their mouths wide with horror. I moved about six inches and pretended that I did it on purpose to remove the ramps from under the front wheels.

I've not met a motorhomer yet who wasn't willing to help when asked. If you do need help then knock on your neighbours door and I'm sure it will be freely given.

Take the basics with you and don't be persuaded to buy beyond that until you are sure you will need it. We all have dozens of things we bought on impulse but never use.

Try and avoid buying from specialist camping/ motorhome shops unless it is something specialised. Prices are usually well above those for the same item from a high street. It does help to keep things for the van in the van rather than bringing things from home. That way you don't find yourself forgetting basics like bedclothes or washing things.

Have a wonderful time and I hope the sun shines all the time( except at night anyway...)

Thank you for all your replies - I know they'll prove invaluable.

Remember to take your mobile phone or computer, so that you can ask us for advice here if you get stuck.

Make a check list on a small piece of card for the driver to run through before starting up.
Eg
Roof vents closed
Electric cable unhooked
Gas off
Drawers and cupboards locked
Bathroom cupboard shut
Side windows closed
Refrigerator door fastened
Waste tank and step on board
Steadies up
Water heater off
Surfaces clear 
Spouse on board

The driver should have handy the vehicle width( including mirrors) ,length including cycle rack and height in both metric and imperial measurements.

Enjoy your new home.
Louise

Lots of good tips above. 
We have a 2002 Pollensa, albeit on a Peugeot base. We've had it since 2004 and wouldn't part with it for a newer motorhome if we were given one for free!

If you have any questions about anything please don't hesitate to ask.

If you can, spend a night in it on your drive before you go off for your first trip. That way, you can familiarise yourself with everything but have the reassurance of being able to nip back indoors if there are any major problems. It's also a good way to check you have packed everything you need.

Don't buy anything unless you've established that you really do need it; our garage has shelves full of stuff we thought would be useful but got fed up carrying with us and never using.

The main thing is to relax, have fun and enjoy the experience. 



cheers
Roger

Hi and welcome to the forum from Bridlington 
Boaby

I have owned a 2002 pollensa on a tranny body for about 5 months now  still a bit on the learning curve myself but I have had smaller  campervans for 20 years  but if I can help I will  Dave

Can't add much to this excellent group of posts (I'm in my first year too) but the checklist thing is such a good plan, we use one every time we unlock the van, and Doris's is pretty good to go!